The Image staff muses on the culture of keeping up appearances

'Taking the dirty work out of vintage shopping': a former Vogue fashion assistant's online boutique

March 16, 2010 | 11:46
am

Brenna Egan, a former fashion assistant at Vogue, launched online vintage boutique CHIC&youshallfind on Tuesday. Specializing in vintage clothes, accessories and home wares, the site is a treasure trove of pieces that are not only trend-right, but wallet-friendly (dresses range from $42 to $78).

And Egan is still using her editorial experience -- each item is accompanied by a whimsical "story" about its past life that she personally pens. A Southwestern sweater coat, for instance, comes with this tall tale: "Anastasia had an enormous wanderlust and adventurous spirit. She ended
up in 35 countries in three months, and this jacket was a souvenir of the
surreal and amazing nomadic life she led. After all, why settle for a
cubicle and daily Starbucks latte?"

Another feature on the site, the "Posh Pawnshop," offers e-consignment without the EBay hassle. Customers can e-mail
snapshots of their items for approval, then ship them to the
CHIC&youshallfind headquarters, where they will be professionally photographed and uploaded for resale.

"After all of the editorial downsizing last year, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to open my own window and follow my true passion, which is the discovery of amazing vintage finds," said Egan, who graduated from the University of Southern California and has also worked stints at Hollywood Life and OK! Weekly magazines. "I like to think I'm taking the dirty work out of vintage shopping."